Do Now:

Write a definition of what it means to you to do WORK.

Work and Power

We will soon see that the tree does work on the boy/wagon but the boy does no work on the tree.

What is Work?

In science work is done when a force acts on an object in the direction that the object is moving. If there is no movement of an object in the same direction as the force acting on that object, no work is done.

If you do work on something, doing it quickly requires more effort than doing it slowly. This concept leads us to a new word…

There are many situations in which you exert a force but don’t do any work.

• Suppose, for example, you are pushing a car that is stuck in the snow.

• You certainly exert a force on the car, so it might seem as if you do work.

• But if the force you exert does not make the car move, you are not doing any work on it.

What is Power?

Power is the amount of work done in a certain amount of time. It is the rate at which work is done. If a task can be completed in less time with the help of a machine, then it must require more power as well as a change in energy to complete the task.

Calculating work and powerWork = Force x Distance (SI unit is JOULE) (N) (M)

Power = Work ÷ Time = Work done (SI unit is WATT) (Time it takes to do the work)

OR… = Change in energy (Time it takes for the energy change)

For vehicles, we talk of Power in terms of Horsepower. 1 horsepower = 746 Watts

Complete your information table

Is work being done on the barbell when it is lifted from the floor, to this position, and back to the floor? What is doing the work in each instance?

A

Is work being done on the luggage bag? If so, what is doing the work?

B

Is work being done on the luggage bag? If so, what is doing the work?

C

Can you explain what work is being done?

Where is work being done? On the shovel or the snow? Who or what is doing the work?